Antti Niemi, Anze Kopitar, Brad Stuart

Antti Niemi, Anze Kopitar, Brad Stuart

Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Kings center Anze Kopitar battles Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart for position in front of goaltender Antti Niemi as a shot comes toward them in the first period Thursday night in Game 2 of their playoff series.

Kings center Anze Kopitar battles Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart for position in front of goaltender Antti Niemi as a shot comes toward them in the first period Thursday night in Game 2 of their playoff series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Kings center Anze Kopitar battles Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart for position in front of goaltender Antti Niemi as a shot comes toward them in the first period Thursday night in Game 2 of their playoff series.